I'm adding a few more photos of artwork that I have framed. All but one of these pieces are painted on the covers of old Readers Digest books. I call them 'Literary Birds' (or 'Literary Boats'). They are smaller, so they go for about $45 each.

The bigger painting is one I have just finished. It's called 'Huddled Red Birds.' I'm taking all of these and more down to the farmers market on Thursday, so drop by if you can.

Most of the artwork I create doesn't need to be framed. Nearly all of the paintings I have done have been sold, delivered and hung without any kind of frames. Because I use gallery-wrapped canvases, frames are optional.

Except for the works I call 'Literary Birds (or Boats).' With these I use the hardback covers of old Readers Digest books as the canvas. Then I make the frame and attach the artwork to the back, and then cover the back with a piece of fabric. As much as I enjoy not having to frame my paintings, I do enjoy how the 'Literary Birds' look once the framing process is complete.

Just for kicks I decided to frame the 'Grain Elevator' painting that is the subject of the posting below. My frames are simple -- they would have to be -- and I use recycled materials. Most of the frames are made with pieces of my former garden fence that was in our back yard. A tree fell a couple of summers ago and doomed the fence, forcing it into a career change.

I have nearly run out of fence pieces, so now I'm using flooring that used to be in the living room of our house. The former owners replaced the original floors in the living room and one of the bedrooms. Most of the original flooring wound up (for some reason) in our attic. These make really nice frames.

I do simple 45-degree miter cuts and attach each side with a pocket jig. Then I sand the frames just enough to smooth and get rid of the loose paint. I like that the frames are rough-looking.

Onces that's done, I white-wash them, let them dry and then attach the artwork to the back.

I think the 'Grain Elevator' painting looks quite nice with its frame. Very fitting.

You can see this painting -- and about 15 others -- at the downtown farmers market on Thursday, Nov. 29. I'll be there along with a handful of other artists and a bunch of people selling chilli and wreaths.

The presidential election is finally over. Regardless of who you wanted to win election, we all are now free from the 24/7 barrage of campaign ads on TV, radio and the Internet. Gone are the loud and mostly ignorant cable news talking heads. No more polls. Late-night talk shows have moved on to other subjects.
It's like the road construction project that employed a jack hammer everyday outside your window, has finally finished its work and moved on.

Or, it's like you're driving away from the constant noise and filth of a major metropolitan: The horns are growing softer; traffic is thinning; you can roll down your window and breathe.

Suddenly, nothing is around. Just you, the ground, the sky .... and a grain elevator.

I found a photo of an abandoned grain elevator and it seemed like the best place to be, given all of the noise and chaos going on at the time. In much the same way that a beach house can deliver much-needed relaxation and a battery recharge, this motionless and nearly forgotten building delivers a thorough calmness.

It does for me, anyway. Hope you enjoy. Please feel free to comment.

On a side note, I'm hoping to create a Facebook page dedicated to my artwork. The one I use right now is piggy-backed on my wife's Facebook account.